‘Bulldozer justice is ……….’: CJI Chandrachud in his final verdict

In his last ruling before stepping down as Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud asserted that the voices of citizens should not be stifled by threats of property damage and stressed that ‘bulldozer justice’ is intolerable in a society that upholds the rule of law.

He emphasized that the safety and security of a citizen’s residence are essential rights that merit safeguarding. As a result, the state must adhere to procedural protections and guarantee due process prior to acting against purported unlawful encroachments or structures.

“Justice through bulldozers unknown to civilised system of jurisprudence”

“Justice through bulldozers is unknown to any civilised system of jurisprudence. There is a grave danger that if high handed and unlawful behaviour is permitted by any wing or officer of the state, demolition of citizens’ properties will take place as a selective reprisal for extraneous reason,” the Chief Justice said in a verdict in a case related to the demolition of a house in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj in 2019.

The Supreme Court has been dealing with various cases related to the use of bulldozers for tearing down properties supposedly linked to individuals charged with criminal offenses. This approach, commonly known as ‘bulldozer justice,’ has ignited widespread debate and faced considerable backlash from opposition groups.

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Describing ‘bulldozer justice’ as “entirely unacceptable,” the Chief Justice demanded measures be taken against the officials implicated. The ruling issued on November 6, subsequently posted on the court’s website, suggested establishing specific minimum procedural safeguards that need to be met prior to acting against citizens’ properties.